Fire, water bans lifted

Palmerston North's outdoor fire ban will be lifted at midnight after being in place for just eight days.

Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer Graeme McIntyre said the short-lived prohibited fire season had been necessary after a record dry March.

Rain and lower temperatures had since reduced the fire danger sufficiently to move back to an open fire season.

Department of Conservation and any fire safety margins land bordering onto the Palmerston North City Council's Rural Fire Area will remain as a Restricted Fire Season - still requiring a fire permit from the Department of Conservation.

WATER RESTRICTIONS LIFTED

Palmerston North and Linton gardeners have been given the all clear to use sprinklers on their rain-drenched properties at Easter.

The city council has lifted its Level 2 water restrictions.

Water asset engineer Dora Luo said the city's main water source, the Turitea Dam, was still low, but the prediction of more rain and continuing cool temperatures dampening demand was expected to see that recover.